August 14, 2014

What happens when a normal boy goes to school with superheros - and what if those superheroes didn't care about nutrition?

Brave Rooney is an ordinary boy in an extraordinary situation. In this 2nd title by Bacciz Apps, about eating healthy, Rooney once again goes to school in Magesticville, a place where everyone is a super-hero. But Rooney lives on the border with Normalville and is decidely not super at anything. The school even has to hire a school nurse for the first time, just for Rooney. No one had ever gotten sick before he attended. But despite his struggles to fit in, Rooney turns out to have one thing the other 'super' kids do not, making him a hero of sorts for a unique kind of bravery. But then one day the other kids begin to get obsessed with a new game involving eating as much as anyone can humanly (or super-humanly) manage ... and Rooney has a healthier message to promote!

Featuring cute cartoon drawings and a storyline kids will love, this book app series hits just the right balance between story and enhancements. It has light animations that highlight fun aspects of the story, along with interactive elements that add a touch of movement to the delightful illustrations. Brave Rooney has become a fast favorite of my little boy and is even appropriate for bedtime reading. Commercial elements of the app should be noted, however, including an opening page that invites children to download other apps before even opening the story they have just purchased.

This app is solidly made with lots of settings, including a nice page guide. Other settings include options for auto-play, swipe or arrow page turning, separate volume controls for the narration, sound effects & background music. You can even choose to disable interactive elements during narration, a great feature for kids that like to tap before the story is finished on each page. Text is also in an easy to read font that highlights as read.

Overall this is a top-notch book app with a well-developed story holding center stage. Enhancements don't distract from the book's message, either. Readers are left with the distinct impression that everyone needs to keep an eye on their calorie consumption, even superheroes. No one can perform their best without the best fuel in just the right quantity ... a lesson Rooney can teach children of all abilities.

Recommended!

This app has been thoroughly evaluated by our staff. Please click on the 'star ratings' tab above, to see how it fared in all nine of our rating categories. See synopsis tab for more details about the storyline.

All reviews are of the app, not the platform/device. Based originally on iPad versions. Minor technical details may vary.

Rooney is the only 'regular' kid in an elementary school of superheroes. When he wants to play soccer with his superhero classmates, they shun him because he's a mere mortal. Meanwhile at school, all the superheroes get involved in a daily eating contest, which Rooney bravely shuns. After a while, the superheroes become so heavy, they're bursting out of their superhero suits. Even worse, they’re unable to fly and utilize their super skills in the championship soccer game. WILL ROONEY GET TO PLAY SOCCER WITH THE SUPERHEROES? WILL HE END UP HELPING THE TEAM?

Second story in the “BRAVE ROONEY” series. First tittle received a Kirkus 'Star’ as a book of “Remarkable merit.” A 'Best Pick App' from “TECH WITH KIDS” written by the "USA TODAY" tech writer. According to “TEACHERS WITH APPS,” 'Rooney's story is one any kid, super-powered or not, can identify with.” 5 Star review from "BESTAPPSFORKIDS” and more.

Written by 3X Emmy-nominated kid’s TV writer, Gerry Renert, “Brave Rooney and the Super-Sized Superheroes” is designed to encourage a fun appreciation of healthy eating. [Source: iTunes]